HeavyArty brings us his great article on M1 Abrams variants, along with some great pictures. Thanks Gino.

Link to Item

If you have comments or questions please post them here.

Thanks!

Excellent article.
The M-1 is one of my favorite modern tanks.
Some really great info, thanks.
Jerry

Looks good. I recognize many of the words and phrases in the article. One point of note is that the transition from the 3 asymmetrical blast panels to a 2 panel system occurred during the production run of the M1IP. The majority of M1IP tanks have two blast panels as opposed to the 3 panel set up. The 2 and 3 panel set up should identify whether the tank was originally an XM1 (3 panel) or M1 (2 panel) before becoming an M1IP.

Very useful information from Gino there, and thanks for giving us the heads up Teacher.
gotta love feature articles
-Shain

Very usefull information. I've got a M1A2 to build as soon as I finish all the kits for the various campaigns. This article should come in handy. Thanks, Gino.

Thank you, Gino for such an outstanding article! Strong work, and judging by Dragon's list of upcoming M1 kits it's gonna get a whole lot of use I am sure.

A very nice article Gino....
Thanks, now I understand just a little more.

Thanks for the Great INFO. I have alot of M1's Abrams to do and this info on the feature is a wonderful HELP.

This will help me with super-detailing the special items on a M1's Abrams.The pictures are truely helpful and it shows alot of detail.

I can not wait for you to do a feature on a Paladin because you would be a wonderful help for a Paladin feature.

Happy Modeling
(++) 1:35

A great reference. I know some question about M1 variants comes up about once or twice a month. This, way we can point them to a complete history. Awesome job!

Jeff

I have a question regarding the AIM program. The article is a little unclear with that.
Is the M1A1-D only a digitalized M1A1 HC, or also rebuilt as M1A1 AIM before receiving the digital equipment?


Thomas

M1A1D is a rebuilt M1A1 under the AIM program, or an upgraded M1A1HC. What makes it a D is that it has the Applique Digital Systems from an M1A2 (FBCB2, EPLRS, Blue Force Tracker, etc.) added to it as well. It was designed as an interim vehicle that could talk to M1A2s and M1A2 SEPs and was fielded until divisions could be fully fielded with M1A2s and M1A2 SEPs. On a further note, as reported by the good MAJ Rob (Sabot) in his recent post, all M1A1Ds have been returned to depot and stripped of their Applique Digital Systems and will be brought back up to M1A1 AIM standards.

Gino - I have a couple small corrections to offer regarding the difference between the M1 and M1-IP.

As an M1 crewman, I served with H Co., 2/2 ACR, in Bamberg, Germany, from early 1985 to late 1986. The M1's that we had were fairly new, the squadron having transitioned to M1's a few months before I got there.

The vehicles we had were production M1 with the original 3-piece blowout panels and canvas webbing on the back of the turret for stowage.

During a rotation thru Grafenwöhr for gunnery, I had occasion to see the new M1-IP. Granted, not up close, but I did notice that the wind sensor was T-shaped, as opposed to the straight cylinder of the M1. It did have the steel turret bustle rack, and at the time, we were pretty jealous. The webbing...

In 1986, all of our vehicles had the webbing removed and the steel bustle rack added. So, this in itself isn't a distinguishing feature of the M1-IP. According to GlobalSecurity.org, there were very few M1-IP's actually made, production having been shifted over to the M1A1.

Regards - Dan

Thanks. I have since heard of a few minor variations to what I posted. I have heard of both types of wind sensors being used as well. Guess there was no one set type in those early transition years.

Thanks for the interesting read Gino. I am not much of a follower of the modern era armor but it is good to know how a certain piece of equipment evolved into what it is today.

Everytime I see an M1 tank I see a little of the MBT-70.


Jeff

OMG :-) please, one of the moderators help me and delete my message before everyone can see how stupid I am...